led, ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on
towards rear, ridden over 1f out, one pace
chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, kept on towards finish
mid-division, weakened over 1f out
mid-division, ridden well over 1f out, no impression
chased leaders, no extra inside final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden over1f out, soon every chance, no extra
slowly into stride, towards rear, headway well over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong
towards rear, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
behind and outpaced, stayed on final furlong, nearest finish
mid-division, never dangerous
always behind
always towards rear
chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, stayed on to lead inside final furlong, driven out
always towards rear
Tamagin won a good race last time on his final start for Kevin Ryan but his new mark of 105 looks too high and so we will side with KNOT IN WOOD who seeks his third win in this race in a row. Richard Fahey's fantastic sprinter now has 10 wins to his name following a first ever Group success at Newcastle last time. Admittedly that didn't look the strongest of races and the ground came in his favour, but if it were to rain here then he must be a big player once again with his talented young rider taking off a valuable 5lbs. Fishforcompliments is better than he was able to show last time at Windsor behind Tamagin, whilst the latter has the cheek-pieces back on for his first start for a new yard. Tombi has the ability but he is becoming expensive to follow for backers and he looked ill at ease last time at Haydock and needs to forget that run. Barney McGrew is so consistent that it's scary, but unfortunately for connections he continues to edge up the weights for being beaten. Tajneed was a no-show last time when apprentice ridden but Adrian Nicholls is back on board and although his ultimate target may be the Ayr Gold Cup (second last year), the feeling is that we will see a better effort today. Thebes has a 6lb penalty for his recent Chepstow romp where he looked on very good terms with himself; he continues to take his racing very well. Excusez Moi is talented but a bit of a fruit loop and it remains to be seen as to how well he will consent to run, Ishetoo was well-held at York last time and looks poorly handicapped now, whilst Roker Park holds quite a few of these on recent runs and Kevin Ryan's progressive sprinter will have a bold go at defying his recent 4lb rise in the weights. At a price Quest For Success could run well as the strong tempo of this race will suit, however we will take his stablemate Knot In Wood to notch up another victory.
Tamagin (USA) 8-1 (9-6) Led after 1f, ran on strongly final 2f, driven out, won at Windsor 6f hcp 105 (2) gf in Jun beating Genki (9-1) by 1 1/2l, 13 ran.
Tombi (USA) 9-4fav (8-11) With leaders, ridden over 1f out, soon weakened, last of 6, 16l behind Doncaster Rover (8-5) at Haydock 6f cond Stakes (2) gf.
Knot In Wood (IRE) 7-1 (9-3) With leader, ridden to lead over 1f out, stayed on well under pressure final furlong, won at Newcastle 6f Grp 3 (1) sft in Jun beating Ancien Regime (9-3) by 1 1/4l, 7 ran.
Fishforcompliments 7-1 (9-4) In touch on outer, ridden and weakened quickly over 1f out, 12th of 13, 11l behind Tamagin (9-6) at Windsor 6f hcp 105 (2) gf in Jun.
Barney McGrew (IRE) 6-1 (10-0) Slowly into stride, held up behind, headway 2f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on well inside final furlong to go 2nd towards finish, not reached winner, 2nd of 12, 1 1/2l behind Roker Park (9-7) at Newcastle 6f hcp 0-100 (2) sft in Jun.
Tajneed (IRE) 13-2 (9-7) With leaders, outpaced 2f out, soon lost place, weakened final furlong, 8th of 12, 7l behind Roker Park (9-7) at Newcastle 6f hcp 0-100 (2) sft in Jun.
Thebes 9-4fav (9-6) Always prominent, led over 2f out, quickened over 1f out, ran on strongly to draw clear final furlong, won at Chepstow 6f hcp 0-100 (2) gd beating Barons Spy (9-3) by 6l, 9 ran.
Excusez Moi (USA) 16-1 (9-12) Slowly into stride and behind, headway 2f out, ridden and kept on inside final furlong, nearest finish, 4th of 12, 3l behind Roker Park (9-7) at Newcastle 6f hcp 0-100 (2) sft in Jun.
Protector (SAF) 12-1 (9-2) Mid-division, ridden and headway over 2f out, soon chasing leaders, weakened over 1f out, 18th of 21, 18l behind Invincible Force (8-7) at Doncaster 7f hcap (2) sft in Nov.
Roker Park (IRE) 9-1 (9-7) Chased leaders, headway over 2f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, kept on well, won at Newcastle 6f hcp 0-100 (2) sft in Jun beating Barney McGrew (10-0) by 1 1/2l, 12 ran.
Baby Strange 40-1 (8-6) Switched right to far side after 1f, pushed along halfway and always behind, 17th of 26, 13l behind High Standing (8-12) at Royal Ascot 6f hcp 0-110 (2) gf in Jun.
Santiago Atitlan 20-1 (8-11) 9th of 11, 10l behind Asset (9-0) at Nad Al Sheba(UAE) 6f hcap gf in Feb.
Internationaldebut (IRE) 22-1 (8-11) With leader 3f, ridden and weakened over 1f out, 5th of 6, 13l behind Doncaster Rover (8-5) at Haydock 6f cond Stakes (2) gf.
Quest For Success (IRE) 15-2 (9-12) Prominent on inside, ridden to chase winner over 1f out, kept on and closed towards finish, always held, 2nd of 10, 1l behind Brassini (9-5) at Sandown 7f hcp 0-100 (2) gd in Jun.
Opus Maximus (IRE) 14-1 (9-13) Always in rear, 11th of 13, 13l behind Dickie Le Davoir (8-8) at Pontefract 6f hcp 0-90 (3) gs.
Ishetoo 12-1 (9-8) Mid-division on rails, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened, 10th of 17, 8l behind Striking Spirit (9-11) at York 6f hcp 0-95 (3) gf.
